Auditor-General Urges Government to Bolster Accountability and Service Delivery
The Auditor-General of South Africa has issued a strong call to the government, advocating for intensified efforts to enhance accountability and improve the delivery of public services. While acknowledging areas of progress that signal the potential for significant reform within the public sector, the Auditor-General’s latest report highlights persistent challenges in key service delivery areas.
The findings were presented in Pretoria during the release of the 2024-25 General Report, which covers national and provincial departments, public entities, and legislatures. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke indicated that the initial year of the 7th administration has seen only marginal improvements in audit outcomes.
Audit Performance Snapshot
Out of a total of 417 entities assessed, a mere 151 managed to achieve “clean audits,” signifying a high standard of financial management and compliance. This leaves a substantial number of public institutions grappling with their responsibilities.
Maluleke specifically cautioned that numerous organisations, particularly those responsible for critical sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, and energy, continue to face difficulties in managing basic finances and performance effectively. These high-impact auditees are entrusted with a significant portion of the government’s expenditure but frequently fail to produce reliable financial reports or adhere to legislative requirements.
The report detailed that 266 auditees did not achieve clean audits and collectively manage a staggering 88% of the total government expenditure budget. Furthermore, a concerning 45 auditees experienced a decline in their audit outcomes. This regression includes several high-impact institutions overseeing budgets amounting to hundreds of billions of rand.
The Critical Role of Audit Processes
The Auditor-General underscored the indispensable role of the audit process in fortifying transparency and accountability across the public sector. The implementation of the Material Irregularity (MI) process has already yielded concrete improvements.
Through this process, financial losses totalling R2.41 billion have either been averted or successfully recovered. Additionally, practical interventions have been instrumental in fostering a more efficient utilisation of public resources. Examples cited include the reactivation of underutilised health facilities and the repurposing of unused buses into mobile libraries, demonstrating innovative solutions to pressing needs.
The report also points to encouraging improvements in the reduction of irregular and wasteful expenditure when compared to the previous year. This suggests that the implementation of more stringent controls and a heightened awareness among public officials are beginning to yield positive results. While significant challenges persist, these downward trends offer a clear signal that targeted corrective measures, when consistently applied, can indeed lead to tangible positive outcomes.
Key Pillars for Future Progress
Maluleke emphasised that strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing governance structures, and improving oversight mechanisms are paramount to unlocking further progress. She pointed out that many of the identified shortcomings are not attributable to a lack of appropriate legislation or insufficient funding. Instead, the root causes lie in the inconsistent application of existing frameworks and a general weakness in accountability structures. Addressing these fundamental issues, she asserted, will empower government institutions to more effectively fulfil their mandates and ultimately improve the quality of life for citizens.
Despite the ongoing prevalence of issues such as non-compliance with legislation, weaknesses in procurement processes, and delays in infrastructure projects, the report maintains that viable solutions are within reach. The successes realised through the MI process serve as a powerful testament to how decisive action, coupled with ethical leadership and robust oversight, can translate into genuine improvements in service delivery and financial stewardship.
Maluleke concluded by urging leaders across all levels of government to build upon these recent gains and cultivate a pervasive culture of performance, transparency, and accountability. She reaffirmed the Auditor-General’s unwavering commitment to supporting the public sector through its auditing functions and the expanded powers it now possesses. The ultimate objective is to bolster public institutions and ensure that public resources are harnessed effectively for the betterment of all South Africans.
